Lenoir man arrested, charged with woodland arson

RALEIGH — A Lenoir man has been charged with woodland arson following an investigation by the N.C. Forest Service.

Josh Wesley Samuel Price of 6225 Mill Pond Road, Lenoir, is charged with two felony counts of setting fire to woodland, grassland or bush land with intent to cause damage. The charges stemmed from fires that occurred on April 1 and April 24 on land near ABC Court in Lenoir.

“The N.C. Forest Service takes arson very seriously because these unwanted fires risk the lives of citizens and the firefighters who have to respond,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “While these fires were kept small because of the efforts of local firefighters, they had the potential to endanger lives and homes in the area.”

N.C. Forest Service agents arrested Price without incident May 7 at a residence on Station Road in the Little River community. They were assisted by the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Department.

Price was booked into the Caldwell County Jail under a $30,000 secured bond. He had been out on bond since December following an arrest on similar charges.